One of the most common questions people ask me is “What’s your favorite country you’ve been to?” Growing up a diplomat’s daughter, I’ve travelled to many countries, having being fortunate enough to experience many cultures in many different regions. From the United States to Gambia, Gambia to Taiwan, Taiwan to Myanmar, Myanmar to Australia, Australia back to Taiwan, and finally, Taiwan to the United States, I’ve learned each country has a different perception of the world: economic systems, laws, foods, people, and lifestyle choices vary so much across the globe.
As a result, every time I’ve had to move I’ve experienced serious culture shock. This last time was no different as my family moved from Canberra, Australia to Bethpage, New York, in the United States.
Canberra, the capital of Australia, is known for its roundabouts, natural landscapes, and modern suburban styles, offering a lifestyle of deliberate pace and predictable daily routines. Long Island is a contrast with its busy workers bustling back and forth from New York City on tight daily schedules.
Life on Long Island did not just represent a change in location, but a shift in speed, lifestyle, and social norms. In Canberra, people slow down for kangaroos and wallabies; on Long Island, people rarely slow down–even for each other.
However, the differences extended far beyond pace: social interactions also differ dramatically. Aussies adore small talk, whether it be a simple “How has your day been?” to strangers you pass by on a sidewalk or “What should I order? What looks really good?” at Hungry Jack’s (The Australian Burger King).
American school life introduces a new layer of divergence. School on Long Island opened my eyes to a completely new lifestyle, with yellow school buses and sports rivals blasting their school spirit. The sheer enthusiasm at football games on a Friday night in Bethpage and “Halloween on the Field” with kids running around is something that you’d never find in Canberra.
In Australia, schools work at a slower pace: most high schools start sometime between 9am to 3pm, and students go to only 5 or 6 periods a day. By comparison, American high schools encourage a busier pace, with most schools often starting earlier and ending later; there, students attend nine periods in a single school day. Students are also more pressured to perform academically to the best of their abilities, whereas schools and parents in Canberra are much lighter with their academic expectations.
Also, aside from driving on a completely different side of the road, Long Island is a magpie-free zone; there are no crazy birds waiting outside of your house every winter to peck your head!
A downside is how large gaps in toilet stalls are also common in the United States, which may seem odd to many foreigners. Public transportation is also far less common in Long Island, without metros or Beam mobility scooters. Here, cars are essential for transportation in most places, as walking isn’t an option.
Another aspect to consider is how Australia is far less festive than the United States. Here, people celebrate Halloween, the Fourth of July, and Thanksgiving, among others. In Canberra, not so much. I also discovered that holiday celebrations offer many opportunities for business owners here on Long Island, such as limited-edition festive drinks from Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts.
With different aspects in perspective, both Australia and the United States hold unique representations of their own cultures and traditions, but Australia is more of a collectivist place, whereas the United States prioritizes individualism. It’s all been very interesting, and a bit exhausting.
